Scientists in action

In this picture the authors of the book “Reef Fishes of the West Indies”, Dr. Allen and Dr. Erdmann, while collecting and photographing a new species in Cendrawasih Bay, Raja Ampat Region, Indonesia.

This picture raised a lot of discussions because of the position of the scientists, and their equipment left on the coral. In my opinion, these guys are doing an incredibly job cataloging new species that will be used also to create new marine protected areas. In the perfect world they could hover motionless half meter on top of the reef and the fish would go spontaneously in the net to be classified and he would stay still to be photographed. Everyone can put a personal limit of tolerance, but this documents the work of two great scientists that are contributing to protect our world. These polemics sound quite ridiculous.